Two crew members were hospitalized and several more were injured in an accident on the set of the Amazon MGM Studios film “The Pickup” starring Eddie Murphy that’s filming near Atlanta.
According to the Associated Press, a car and a truck collided during filming on Saturday, April 20 when the truck seized up and struck the other vehicle. A source described the incident to the AP as a “freak accident” and said the sequence had been rehearsed with proper safety precautions in place.
Of the two hospitalized crew members, whose names have not been released, one remains hospitalized. The injuries included bumps, bruises, and broken bones, according to the AP, and all the injured crew members are expected to make full recoveries.
The sequence was being performed by the film’s second unit team, which shoots portions of the film not involving principal actors. Murphy and co-stars Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson were not on set at the time of the accident, according to AP.
“Unfortunately, the sequence did not go as planned and several members of the crew were injured as a result,” an Amazon MGM Studios spokesperson told IndieWire in a statement. “We are still in the process of gathering facts on what happened and why, but first and foremost our thoughts are with those who are recovering. The well-being of the entire crew and cast is our first priority, and we will continue to insist on the highest industry standards of safety while filming. All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.”
The studio itself did not disclose details of the injuries or the individuals involved.
Reps for IATSE, the union that represents crew members, said to IndieWire in a statement that they have begun an inquiry into the accident.
Tim Story is directing “The Pickup,” which also stars Andrew Dice Clay, Eva Longoria, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy, and Marshawn Lynch. The film does not have a release date, but the AP says production is not expected to be delayed by the accident.
In February, a rigger, JC “Spike” Osorio, was killed after falling from a rafter on set of the Marvel series “Wonder Man” in Los Angeles.
